Method for forming a tire around a bead

Abstract

A method and apparatus for forming a tire in which an inner circumference of a tire carcass is wrapped around a tire bead by being grasped by an expanding air bladder against a stopper plate. The stopper plate, with the bladder still inflated is raised relative to the bead and main tire carcass and then moved into the annular portion of the tire carcass to encase the bead.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of forming a tire comprising in sequence, the steps of: pushing and spreading bending-over portions of a tire member wound on a tire forming drum by bladders to pinch the outer ends of said portions between said bladders and cylindrical bodies;   moving said bodies axially toward the middle part of said drum to bend over said portions around wire beads;   moving said bladders out from between said member and said bodies; and   reducing diameters of said bodies to hold the already bent-over tire member on the peripheral surface of said drum and axially moving said bodies to convey said member axially from said drum.